Tag Archives: Capricorn

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Tarot

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Four of Pentacles Or Coins

Leave a comment

(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)

The Four of Pentacles from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) Tarot deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

The time period is the third decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Mercury, January 10 to 19.
Well-Dignified: opportunities for public service; an acute, sharp, penetrating, tactful temperament; economy in the arrangement of material affairs; activity in money matters.
Ill-Dignified: dangers to reputation; troubles through changes not carefully considered; desire for money, but unwisdom in its management; the Querent will meet with sharp criticism.
Keyword: Management.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

A crowned figure, having a pentacle over his crown, clasps another with hands and arms; two pentacles are under his feet. He holds to that which he has. Divinatory Meanings: The surety of possessions, cleaving to that which one has, gift, legacy, inheritance. Reversed: Suspense, delay, opposition.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

Aleister Crowley

As to the Disks, the heaviness of the symbol rather outweighs any considerations of its weakness. The card is called Power. It is the power which dominates and stabilizes everything, but manages its affairs more by negotiation, by pacific methods, than by any assertion of itself. It is Law, the Constitution, with no aggressive element.

[…]

The Four, Chesed, shows the establishment of the Universe in three dimensions, that is, below the Abyss. The generating idea is exhibited in its full material sense. The card is ruled by the Sun in Capricornus, the Sign in which he is reborn. The disks are very large and solid; the suggestion of the card is that of a fortress. This represents Law and Order, maintained by constant authority and vigilance. The disks themselves are square; revolution is very opposite to the card; and they contain the signs of the Four Elements. For all that, they revolve; defence is valid only when violently active. So far as it appears stationary, it is the “dead centre” of the engineer; and Capricornus is the point at which the Sun “turns again Northward”. The background is of deep azure, flecked yellow, suggesting a moat; but beyond this is a pattern of green and indigo to represent the guarded fields whose security is assured by the fortress.

In the Yi King, Sol in Capricornus is represented by the Second Hexagram, Khwan, which is the Female Principle. Compare the English word Queen, Anglo-Saxon Cwen, old Mercian Kwoen. Cognate are Icelandic Kvan, Gothic Kwens, woman. The Indo-Germanic type is g (w)eni and the Sanskrit root GwEN. Note also Cwm, coombe, and agnate words, meaning an enclosed valley, usually with water running from it. Womb—possibly a softened form?

Compare also the innumerable words, derived from the root Gas, Which imply an enclosed and fortified space. Case, castle, chest, cyst, chaste, incest and so on.

The primary radicle in all this class of words is the guttural. Observe the Hebrew attributions: Gimel, the moon; Cheth, Cancer, the house of the moon; Kaph, the Wheel; Qoph, the Moon, XVIII, Guttur, the throat. Sounds so made suggest the other throat; one is the channel of respiration and nutrition, the other of reproduction and elimination.
(From The Book of Thoth)

A Crowley-esque AI-generated illustration for the Four of Pentacles

Golden Dawn’s Book T

A HAND holding a branch of a rose tree, but without flowers or buds, save that in the centre is one fully blown white rose. Pentacles are disposed as on the points of a square; a rose in its centre. Symbols Sun and Capricorn above and below to represent the Decan.
Assured material gain: success, rank, dominion, earthy power, completed but leading to nothing beyond. Prejudicial, covetous, suspicious, careful and orderly, but discontented. Little enterprise or originality. According to dignity as usual.
Chesed of HB:H (Gain of money or influence: a present).
Herein do HB:KVQYH and HB:MNDAL bear rule

Etteilla

Benefit
Upright. This blade, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Present, Gift, Generosity, Beneficence, Liberality, Strenna, Grace, Offering, Giving, Gratification, Service. – White color, Lunar medicine, Stone to white.
Reversed. Enclosure, Circuit, Circumvolution, Circumscription, Circumference, Circle, Circulation. – Intercept, Obstruction, Engorgement, Hoarding, Cloister, Monastery, Convent. – Stop, Fixed, Determined, Definite, Extremity, Boundaries, Limits, Terms, End, Barrier, Dividing wall, Wall, Hedge, Wall. – Obstacles, Bars, Impediment, Suspension, Delay, Opposition.

MQS

Card Meanings, Cartomancy, Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Tarot

Tarot Encyclopedia – The Three of Pentacles or Coins

Leave a comment

(Note: this is a collection of the meanings attributed to the cards by some occultists in the past centuries. It does not reflect my own study or opinion of the cards. It is only meant as a quick comparative reference as I develop my own take.)

The Three of Pentacles from the Builders of the Adytum (BOTA) deck

Paul Foster Case (and Ann Davies)

The time period is the second decanate of Capricorn, under the rulership of Venus, from January 1 to January 9.
Well-Dignified: construction; increase, growth; financial gain; the building up of favorable conditions; gain in commercial transactions; rank or prestige in vocation or business; beginning of matters to be perfected later.
Ill-Dignified: selfishness; cleverness in business, but lack of scruples;
narrowness and prejudice; too much ambition.
Keyword: Constructiveness.
(From the Oracle of Tarot course)

A. E. Waite

A sculptor at his work in a monastery. Compare the design which illustrates the Eight of Pentacles. The apprentice or amateur therein has received his reward and is now at work in earnest. Divinatory Meanings: Métier, trade, skilled labour; usually, however, regarded as a card of nobility, aristocracy, renown, glory. Reversed: Mediocrity, in work and otherwise, puerility, pettiness, weakness.
(From The Pictorial Key to the Tarot)

Aleister Crowley

The Three of Pentacles, in a similar manner, exhibits the result of the idea of Earth, of the crystallization of forces; and so the Three of Pentacles is called the Lord of Work. Something has definitely been done.

[…]

The influence of Binah in the sphere of Earth shows the material establishment of the idea of the Universe, the determination of its basic form. It is ruled by Mars in Capricornus; he is exalted in that Sign, and therefore at his best. His energy is constructive, like that of the builder or engineer. The card represents a pyramid viewed from above the apex. The base is formed by three wheels-Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt; Sattvas, Rajas, and Tamas in the Hindu system; Aleph, Shin, and Mem-Air, Fire, and Water-the three Mother letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

This pyramid is situated in the great Sea of Binah in the Night of Time, but the sea is solidified; hence the colours of the back-ground are mottled, a cold thin dark grey with a pattern of indigo and green. The sides of the pyramid have a strong reddish tint, showing the influence of Mars.
(From The Book of Thoth)

AI-generated illustration for the Three of Pentacles or Coins

Golden Dawn’s Book T

A WHITE-WINGED Angelic Hand, as before, holding a branch of a rose tree, of which two white rosebuds touch and surmount the topmost Pentacle. The Pentacles are arranged in an equilateral triangle. Above and below the symbols Mars and Capricorn.
Working and constructive force, building up, creation, erection; realization and increase of material things; gain in commercial transactions, rank; increase of substance, influence, cleverness in business, selfishness. Commencement of matters to be established later. Narrow and prejudiced. Keen in matters of gain; sometimes given to seeking after impossibilities.
Binah of HB:H (Business, paid employment, commercial transaction).
Herein are HB:YChVYH and HB:LHChYH Angelic Rulers.

Etteilla

Important
Upright. This card, as far as the medicine of the spirit is concerned, means, in its natural position: Noble, Considerable, Famous, Important, Great, Major, Extended, Vast, Sublime, Renowned, Famous, Powerful, Elevated, Illustrious. – Excellence, Consideration, Greatness of mind, Nobility of conduct, Generous deeds, Magnificently, Splendidly.
Reversed. Puerility, Childhood, Infantilism, Frivolity. – Weakening, Lowering, Diminishing, Education, Modicity, Mediocrity, Minuity, Inezia, Frivolity, Lowness, Vileness, Poltrony, Rampant, Small, Puerile, Petty, Low, Servile, Vile, Abject, Humble. – Abjection, Humility, Humiliation.

MQS

Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Geomancy

Carcer / Prison (Geomancy Figures)

Leave a comment

Name of the Figure: Carcer (Prison)
Element: Earth
Planet: Saturn (direct)
Sign: Pisces
Quality: Common
Fortune: Bad

Carcer is a figure of Saturn direct. Its symbol is said to represent an enclosure, pen or prison of some kind. If we choose to look at the single dots as active elements, then Carcer is the opposite of Conjunctio, in that its active elements have in common the quality of dryness, which indicates difficulty in integrating and mixing together. Furthermore, the two elements are spread apart (one at the top, one at the bottom) and the figure can also be seen as two arrows pointing in opposite directions.

Illustration for the geomantic figure Carcer, prison

Carcer’s association with Saturn is very telling, as it embodies many of its qualities. It indicates loneliness, and in personal relationships it is broadly bad in its import. Although with positive indications it can show long-term commitment, it is more likely to show feelings cooling off, if not outright separation, or more simply it can speak of not finding anyone to be with. Lack of communication and personal contact all belong to the figure’s array of meanings.

Carcer can show prison and negative sentences in general, but the symbol of a prison or enclosed place can be interpreted metaphorically as obstacles, blockages and restriction. It indicates situations where we are in difficulty and it is difficult for us to act. However, on a brighter note, the symbol of the enclosed space can be interpreted as a womb, and Carcer is said in some sources to be good for pregnancy.

Another field where Carcer is generally positive is for building and laying the foundations of buildings (or maybe, metaphorically, for laying the foundations of something) and for keeping things secrets and solo endeavors such as meditation, study, etc. In most mundane questions, though, Carcer is one of the worst figures you can obtain, especially since it can become Judge, unlike other negative figures.

Common Keywords: Loneliness, sadness, blockage, obstacles, stoppage, building, laying foundations, separation, obligations, debts, poverty, pregnancy, secrets, deep knowledge

Carcer in the Geomantic Houses (these are only examples. Use context to guide your interpretation)

HousePossible Meanings
FirstLonely person, blocked, in difficulties, Stingy, Difficult to relate to
SecondPoverty, Lack of means, Hardships, Debt, Financial obligations
ThirdLack of communication, Isolation from the community, Only child, Lack of relationship with the siblings
FourthCastle, Large building, Constructing, Building, City, City walls, Tombstones, Loss of the father
FifthDepression, lack of fun or excitement, restraint, pregnancy
Sixthlong convalescence, difficult illness, lack of mobility, animal pens, death of animals
Seventhloneliness, interpersonal difficulties, person is already committed, lack of relationships, separation
EighthCemetery, death, fear, lack of progress, lack of money from the partner
Ninthserious study, hidden knowledge, atheism, a priest or hermit,
Tenthunemployment, lack of upward mobility, dead end
Eleventhloneliness, lack of help or friends
Twelfthprison, black magic
Thirteenthpast loneliness or hardships, person is serious, solid
Fourteenthfuture difficulties, person needs to face serious challenges
Fifteenthlack of success except in building and keeping secrets or pregnancy
Possible meanings of Carcer in the various Geomantic Houses. Note that this is not meant to be exhaustive, and it only serves to jog your interpretive muscles

MQS

Divination, Divination Master Post, Fortune-telling, Geomancy

Populus / The People (Geomancy Figures)

Leave a comment

Name of the Figure: Populus (The People); sometimes called Double Way
Element: Water
Planet: Moon (waxing)
Sign: Capricorn
Quality: Common
Fortune: Mixed

Populus is the opposite of Via, the other figure of the Moon. Its properties are in many ways diametrically opposite. Where Via forces a radical transformation of every figure it comes into contact with, flipping it into its opposite, Populus passively accepts every figure as it is, like a mirror or a bunch of clay waiting to be shaped. This latter comparison is very apt, as in Medieval (Aristotelian) philosophy, the Moon was seen as receptacle and a symbol of matter, which was capable of receiving all forms, just as the Moon receives her light from the Sun, but was ultimately beyond complete formation.

Illustration of the Geomantic figure Populus, the People

The Medievals, who were fond of finding similitudes and parallels everywhere, also saw the common folk as matter and the Emperor or King as the form-giver, just like they saw the female as matter and the male as form, so they must have felt a great thrill in finding all these correspondences at play in Populus, which also represents people (just like in astrology the Moon rules common people). If Via represents the Moon’s changeable nature, Populus is her passivity.

Populus is formed of the highest number of points of any Geomancy figure, eight, in contrast to Via, which had the least with four. This brings to light another common meaning of Populus: that of indicating “lots” of something, for good or ill.

Some old Geomancers considered Populus extremely bad, some saying that if Populus was the Judge, the chart wasn’t valid. I find this to be nonsense. We already have a limited number of possible charts to play with, and if we exclude those ending in Populus we eliminate a whole bunch more. Plus, in my experience, Populus is a neutral figure, augmenting the good and bad of other figures.

Common Keywords: passivity, receptivity, stability, a situation that may have various influences at play but in the end won’t change much, many people, groups of all kinds, crowd, togetherness, lots of anything that may make sense in the context, large, big, numerous

Populus in the Geomantic Houses (these are only examples. Use context to guide your interpretation)

HousePossible Meanings
FirstA long and/or mediocre life, a mutable life subject to many influences, lots of water, phlegmatic temperament, companionable
SecondLots of money, great wealth, many objects
ThirdMany siblings or cousins, neighbors, small trip by water or near a body of water
FourthCities, castles, buildings, abundance, fertile terrain
FifthGreat harvest, many children, gathering of artists (like an exposition), A fun gathering
SixthMany servants or small animals, dangerous illness
SeventhMany acquaintances, Good marriage, Pliable but unstable partner, Many public enemies
EighthTears, A funeral, Lots of money from the partner
NinthLong travel especially by water, pilgrimage with other people, a class or learning group, a spiritual gathering
TenthA gathering of important people (like a cabinet meeting), elevation of regular people, Rebellion of the common folk
EleventhLots of money from the government, Lots of friends
TwelfthMany occult enemies, evil machinations, groups of prisoners
ThirteenthPublic favor, stable past, good company
FourteenthThe public is against, many obstacles or lots of opposition, stable future
FifteenthSome delay, stability in the end, good if coming from good figures, bad if from bad ones
Possible meanings of Populus in the various Geomantic Houses. Note that this is not meant to be exhaustive, and it only serves to jog your interpretive muscles

MQS